Alcatraz

Timeline of Events

1854 Alcatraz Island, located in San Francisco Bay, becomes a military fort, assigned to protect the West Coast and the city of San Francisco from enemy attack.
1864 Alcatraz is first used as a prison, housing military personnel who would not pledge loyalty to the United States.
1901 The final armaments are removed from the island, converting the fort into a full time military prison.
1934 The prison is converted into a U. S. Penitentiary
1963 The prison officially closes.
1973 Alcatraz Island opens to the public.